I N T E R A C T I V E
S T U D E N T
N O T E B O O K
Leading Figures of the Renaissance
In what ways have various leading figures of the Renaissance
affected modern society?
P R E V I E W
Choose a political leader, artist, entertainer, or other well-known figure who you think has
been influential in the period from 1900 to the present day. A list of suggestions has been
provided below, or you can choose someone else who fits one of the categories. Then, on a
separate sheet of paper, do the following:
• Briefly describe the person and why you chose him or her.
• Name at least three of the person’s talents, accomplishments, or achievements.
• Explain why he or she has been influential.
Leaders
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Mahatma Gandhi
Ronald Reagan
Inventors, Scientists, and Business
Persons
Henry Ford
Bill Gates
Bill Clinton
Walt Disney
Artists and Entertainers
Albert Einstein
Oprah Winfrey
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
J.K. Rowling
Jonas Salk
Heroes and Icons
Mother Teresa
Neil Armstrong
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pope John Paul II
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R E A D I N G
N O T E S
Key Content Terms
As you complete the Reading Notes, use these terms in your answers.
Johannes Gutenberg
William Shakespeare
New World
Miguel Cervantes
Section 2
1. How did Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to the rest of Europe?
2. How did Gutenberg’s printing press improve upon existing printing methods?
3. How did the printing press help to spread new ideas, discoveries, and inventions?
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Sections 3 to 12
If your class is doing the activity for this lesson, complete all the Reading Notes for each
section. (Note: If your class is not doing the activity, skip Question 2 under each section.)
Section 3
Section 4
1. Name:
1. Name:
Title (from section title):
Title (from section title):
Lived (years of birth and death):
Lived (years of birth and death):
From (the place):
From (the place):
Personality and Training:
Personality and Training:
Talents and Achievements:
Talents and Achievements:
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
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2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
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Section 5
Section 6
1. Name:
1. Name:
Title (from section title):
Title (from section title):
Lived (years of birth and death):
Lived (years of birth and death):
From (the place):
From (the place):
Personality and Training:
Personality and Training:
Talents and Achievements:
Talents and Achievements:
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
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Section 7
Section 8
1. Name:
1. Name:
Title (from section title):
Title (from section title):
Lived (years of birth and death):
Lived (years of birth and death):
From (the place):
From (the place):
Personality and Training:
Personality and Training:
Talents and Achievements:
Talents and Achievements:
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
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Section 9
Section 10
1. Name:
1. Name:
Title (from section title):
Title (from section title):
Lived (years of birth and death):
Lived (years of birth and death):
From (the place):
From (the place):
Personality and Training:
Personality and Training:
Talents and Achievements:
Talents and Achievements:
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
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Section 11
Section 12
1. Name:
1. Name:
Title (from section title):
Title (from section title):
Lived (years of birth and death):
Lived (years of birth and death):
From (the place):
From (the place):
Personality and Training:
Personality and Training:
Talents and Achievements:
Talents and Achievements:
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this
figure because
Leading Figures of the Renaissance 7
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P ro c essing
You are hosting a dinner party for leading Renaissance figures. The guest list will include the
ten figures you learned about in this lesson. Your goal is for all your guests to enjoy lively conversation throughout a Renaissance feast.
You must decide where your guests will sit. As you decide where to place each guest, consider
what you know about his or her language, personality, training, talents, and achievements so
that everyone has something to talk about with nearby guests at the table.
On a separate sheet of paper, copy the drawing below. At each chair, create a place card that has
the guest’s name, or sketch the face, and write his or her title from the section title in the book.
Leave space around the table to write one or two sentences that answer the following question
for each guest: Why did you seat this person where you did?
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R eading
f u rt h er
Preparing to Write: Developing an Argument and Supporting Details
Which do you think is a better form of communication—print media, such as books and newspapers, or the Internet? What are the strengths of each? What are the weaknesses of each?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Print Media
Internet
Decide whether you will persuade your readers that print media or the Internet is a superior
form of communication. Write a position statement that gives your overall opinion here.
List at least four details that support your opinion. The details should consist of logical reasons,
facts, examples, and personal experiences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Writing a Persuasive Paragraph
Now use your thinking from the previous page to write a persuasive paragraph. Begin with
your position statement. Then present each of your supporting details in full sentences, in a
clear and logical way.
Use this rubric to evaluate your persuasive paragraph. Make changes in your paragraph if you
need to.
Score
Description
3
The paragraph has a direct and forceful position statement. It includes
excellent supporting details, including logical reasons, facts, examples,
and personal experience. The paragraph is logically organized. There
are no errors in spelling or grammar.
2
The paragraph has a satisfactory position statement. It includes good
supporting details, including some logical reasons, facts, examples, and
personal experience. The paragraph is adequately organized. There are
some errors in spelling or grammar.
1
The paragraph lacks a position statement. It includes few supporting
details. The paragraph is poorly and illogically organized. There are
many errors in spelling or grammar.
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